CDC Says Legionnaires’ Disease Bacteria Increased 249 Percent

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a 249 percent increase in Legionella bacteria—the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease—between 2000 and 2011.

CDC investigators also discovered other facts about the prevalence of Legionnaires disease, which kills about one in every 10 people who become infected, Newsday reports. The new federal data comes in the wake of a Legionnaires’ outbreak over the summer that killed 13 people in the Bronx.

Legionella bacteria thrive in air conditioning systems and cooling towers. Hot tubs, hot water tanks and decorative fountains can also harbor the bacteria. The bacteria can cause Legionella pneumophila, a form of pneumonia, when inhaled in droplets of water. People older than 50 and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for infection than are younger, healthier people. Current and former smokers, people with chronic lung conditions, and people who take drugs that suppress the immune system (chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs) are also at increased risk, according to the CDC.

The investigation revealed that blacks were more likely to be infected than whites, which the researchers say may be due to housing differences. Blacks more often live in older and poorly maintained multi-resident buildings.

The CDC explains that Legionnaires’ disease can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other types of pneumonia. Symptoms include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• High fever
• Muscle aches
• Headaches

The symptoms usually begin two to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria, but can take longer to appear. Legionnaires is not transmitted from person to person.

CDC investigators found that Legionella bacteria is more prevalent in some parts of the country, according to Newsday. New York State has the highest rates of infection nationwide. New York health officials estimate the bacteria infects 200 to 800 people a year and the state has recently mandated routine testing of air conditioning and water systems at schools, hospitals, dialysis centers and other sensitive sites in order to prevent future outbreaks. Legionella bacteria were discovered in the cooling systems in several Long Island school districts, Newsday reports.

Dr. Pascal Imperato, and founding dean of the School of Public Health at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn and a former New York City health commissioner, said Legionella bacteria are ubiquitous. Many people have been exposed to it, though they may not be aware of the exposure. “We have known for quite some time that about 20 percent of the general population will have antibodies to this organism,” Imperato said. He added that even after air conditioning systems and other water-containing structures have been well cleaned, Legionella bacteria can reappear in “a matter of months.”

The 249 percent jump in disease prevalence occurred between 2000 and 2011. From 2011 to 2013, half the people included in the research were admitted to hospital intensive care units. In all, there were 1,426 Legionnaires cases from Jan. 1, 2011, to Dec. 31, 2013, Newsday reports.

 

 

from Parker Waichman http://www.yourlawyer.com/blog/cdc-says-legionnaires-disease-bacteria-increased-249-percent/